Celebrating 40 years of Legacy, Friendship and Service. Our Story, Our History
Shelby County (TN) Chapter History
On February 16, 1983, a special interest group was organized by Charlotte Brooks Polk known as R.A.R.E. (Radiating Attitudes of Resourceful Efforts). The group’s name was given by Marel Folson Watson and its purpose was to address the educational, cultural and civic development needs of citizens of the Memphis and Shelby County area. Two years later, these goals were further enhanced when the group was chartered by The Links, Incorporated as the Shelby County (TN) Chapter on February 23, 1985. The charter members consisted of 21 service-oriented women representing various backgrounds and areas of professional expertise. The following year, four additional members were added to the Chapter, bringing the total membership to 25.
Some of the Chapter’s early contributions to the community included the Jesse Mahan Daycare Center; the Beautillion program for young African-American males; the Memphis City Schools’ Adopt-A-School program with Double Tree Elementary, and cultural arts exhibits such as the “Quilts of Gee’s Bend.”
Today, the Shelby County Links is comprised of more than 50 outstanding women who continue to use their collective talents and strengths to build on the Chapter’s remarkable legacy of community service.
Charlotte Brooks Polk
Chartering President
Past Chapter Presidents
Charlotte Brooks Polk
Hattie E. Jackson
Peggy Waller Faulkner
Olivia Patricia Coleman
Forestene Young London
Madeleine Cooper-Taylor
Mae Frances Jackson White
Charlotte Lavon Kennedy
Joyce Lynom Young
Dorothy P. Westbrook
Cecelia W. Sawyer
Sandra J. Reed
Lillian Fisher Hammond
Nina Rene Thornton
Ruby Jean Bright
Dara D. Davis
Telesa L. Taylor
Marcia Bowden-Marche’
Seated: Hattie Jackson, Charlotte Brooks Polk, Organizing President; Dolly Adams, 8th National President; Jackie Robinson, National Chapter Establishment Officer; Mose Yvonne Hooks, Carrie Gilbert, Joyce Young
Middle Row: Bobbie Stokes, Narquenta Sims, Marvis LaVerne Jones, Henrene C. Davis, Carolyn Garner, Phyllis Kelley, Peggy Faulkner, Maxine Ford, Forestene London.
Back Row: Charlotte Kennedy, Elise Evans, Marvelle Watson, Rachel Miles, Janet Seymour, Olivia Patricia Coleman, Madeleine Taylor, Georgia Hobbs
Visitation Luncheon, 1985
(Seated L-R) President Charlotte Brooks Polk, The Links, Incorporated National Chapter Establishment Officer Jacqueline Robinson,
Elise Evans, Janet Seymour (Standing L-R) Carolyn Garner, Narquenta Sims, Bobbie Stokes, Phyllis Kelley, Marvis Laverne Jones,
Maxine Ford, Dr. Forestene London, Olivia Patricia Coleman, Marvelle Watson, Madeleine Taylor, Rachel Miles, Carrie Gilbert,
Dr. Joyce Young, Dr. Charlotte Kennedy, Herene Davis, Peggy Faulkner, Georgia Hobbs
First Lé Beautillion Militaire, 1987
(Seated L-R) Georgia Hobbs, Lydia Gaillord, Peggy Faulkner, Phyllis Kelley, Marvel Watson, Paulette Delk,
Mose Yvonne Hooks, Maxine Ford, Cecelia Westley and Bobbie Stokes.
(Standing L-R) Laverne Jones, Hattie Jackson, Elise Evans, Madeleine Taylor, Henrene Davis, Joyce Young, Forestene London,
Charlotte Polk, Rachel Miles, Charlotte Kennedy, Narquenta Sims, O. Patricia Coleman, Carrie Gilbert and Carolyn Garner.
